A teenage boy lost his life during a massive ultra-Orthodox Jewish protest against military conscription in Jerusalem, intensifying the long-standing debate over Israel’s mandatory draft exemptions.
The rally, which drew an estimated 200,000 people, saw crowds flooding the roads around Route 1, the main highway leading into the city. The demonstration brought traffic to a standstill as participants voiced opposition to the government’s efforts to end long-standing military service exemptions for religious seminary students.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing people climbing onto rooftops, cranes, and even gas stations to get a better view of the rally. Amid the chaos, a 15-year-old boy reportedly fell to his death. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
The tragedy comes at a critical moment in Israel’s political landscape. The question of whether ultra-Orthodox men should serve in the military has long divided Israeli society. Many secular Israelis view the exemption as unfair, particularly as the country continues to face mounting security threats on multiple fronts—from Gaza and Lebanon to Syria and Yemen.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has struggled to balance competing demands within his fractured coalition. The ultra-Orthodox community insists that full-time Torah study is sacred and that conscription would erode their religious way of life. On the other hand, the military argues it needs more manpower amid ongoing regional conflicts.
The Supreme Court ruled last year that the exemption policy must end, forcing Parliament to draft a new conscription bill. However, lawmakers have failed to agree on a proposal that satisfies both the ultra-Orthodox bloc and the military establishment.
The political tension has already cost Netanyahu two key allies—Shas and United Torah Judaism—who left the coalition earlier this year. Their departure has weakened the government, raising questions about its stability ahead of the next general election.
Analysts say any compromise that pleases ultra-Orthodox leaders risks alienating other Israelis and could face legal challenges. With public frustration mounting and elections looming, the issue of military conscription remains one of the most explosive in Israeli politics.
